It has long been known that America’s Senate is less protectionist (i.e., more likely to favor trade deals) than the House. The usual explanation was that senators, representing larger territories, took a broader view.

But Paola Conconi, Giovanni Facchini and Maurizio Zanardi discovered that only certain U.S. senators were less protectionist. Which senators? Precisely those basking in the relative comfort of the first four years of their terms. 

Related publications

'Policymakers' horizon and trade reforms: the protectionist effect of elections', Paola Conconi, Giovanni Facchini and Maurizio Zanardi, Journal of International Economics, Vol 94, 2014.

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